Problem

Source: ELMO Shortlist 2024/N9

Tags: Elmo, number theory



Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial with integer coefficients that has at least one rational root. Let $n$ be a positive integer. Alan and Allan are playing a game. First, Alan writes down $n$ integers at $n$ different locations on a board. Then Allan may make moves of the following kind: choose a position that has integer $a$ written, then choose a different position that has integer $b$ written, then at the first position erase $a$ and in its place write $a+P(b)$. After any nonnegative number of moves, Allan may choose to end the game. Once Allan ends the game, his score is the number of times the mode (most common element) of the integers on the board appears. Find, in terms of $P(x)$ and $n$, the maximum score Allan can guarantee. Henrick Rabinovitz